Prompts: the key to communicating with AI

What is a prompt?

A prompt is simply an instruction given to a generative AI such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Midjourney or DALL-E. It can be a question, a descriptive sentence or a more detailed instruction. It can be a question, a descriptive sentence or a more detailed instruction. Basically, it's the command you give to the AI to respond in the most relevant way possible.

Think of it as a recipe: the more precise you are with the ingredients and the steps, the more successful it will be!

Why is writing a prompt so important?

The AI is powerful, but not clairvoyant. A well-written prompt will provide you with answers that are more relevant, precise and tailored to your needs. On the other hand, a question that is too vague is likely to produce a vague answer. You don't want pizza without toppings, do you?

How to write a good prompt?

1. Be clear and precise

Avoid formulations that are too broad.

For example, instead of saying “Tell me about digital”, try “Explain the advantages of fiber optics for gaming”. (but we've already covered that in our article "Gaming: Wi-Fi or ethernet?”)

2. Add context

AI loves details!

Specify your target audience: « i”, the desired format: “in 3 sentences” or “in a table”, or the tone: “with a touch of humour”.

In fact, you could ask him directly how to make a prompt: « Explain to me, as if I were 10 years old, how to make the best prompts to an artificial intelligence to get the best answers. Send me your answer in the form of a bulleted list of instructions. All with a touch of humor".

3. Test and adjust

AI learns from your interactions.

If the first answer doesn’t work for you, rephrase your prompt by adding details or changing the way you ask the question, or by asking for more details on certain passages.

4. Use examples

If you want a specific image or text, take inspiration from what's out there: « Generate an impressionistic picture of a sunset” is more effective than “Make me a beautiful picture”.

Three concrete examples of everyday use

If you're still struggling to see how AI could be useful in your everyday life, here are 3 concrete examples:

1. Planning a meal

Not sure what to cook tonight? Ask your IA: “Give me an idea for a quick dinner with chicken and vegetables”. It can even suggest a complete recipe!

And don’t forget to let it know if you have any special requirements; it can of course find vegan, gluten-free or low-sugar recipes for you.

2. Write a message or an email

Need to write a professional or administrative email, or a lighter, more original message for a birthday or to help you write a speech? All of these are possible: “Write a polite email to ask for a quote to repair my roof”, or “Write a fun birthday message for a friend celebrating his 35th birthday”, or “Write a draft speech for my daughter’s graduation from bioengineering school”.

Again, give as many details as possible to make the proposal as appropriate to the situation as possible.

3. Find travel ideas

Fancy a getaway but lack inspiration? Try: "Suggest three nice destinations for a sunny weekend in Europe on a small budget".

And once you have chosen your destination, you can ask it to draw up a sightseeing program for you, or list the city’s must-see activities and, of course, its best restaurants.

A superpower accessible to all

Mastering the art of the prompt is like learning to ask the right questions. The more you fine-tune your requests, the more the AI becomes a veritable ultra-efficient assistant. And who knows? With a little practice, you might just become a true Prompt Master!

Are you ready to give it a try? To get you started, Proximus offers a 1-year free access to Perplexity PRO so you can write your first prompts!